From Vine to Glass: Exploring Croatia’s Hidden Wine Gems
Tucked along the spectacular Dalmatian Coast of Croatia lies a hidden trove of winemaking excellence. With its sun-drenched slopes, ancient vineyards, and centuries-old traditions, this coastal area has emerged as a popular destination for wine lovers in search of an unforgettable experience. From the rugged beauty of the Pelješac Peninsula to the idyllic shores of Brač, Hvar, and Korčula islands, each place boasts unique terroir and grape varieties, resulting in an array of wines that reflect the rich heritage of Croatian winemaking. Read on for a journey through the wines of the Dalmatian Coast, where ancient traditions meet modern innovation, and every bottle has a story to tell.
Pelješac Peninsula:
If you travel northwest along the coast from Dubrovnik, you’ll come across the Pelješac Peninsula, renowned for its rugged beauty and high-quality red wines. The region's winemaking traditions date back to ancient times, with vineyards covering the steep, sun-drenched slopes that overlook the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. The Plavac Mali, a red grape variety native to Croatia, and the most cultivated grape in central and southern Dalmatia, thrives in Pelješac's Mediterranean climate, resulting in robust and flavorful wines with hints of dark fruit and spice. Arid conditions and salty breezes along the coast produce notable reds from Dingač and Postup vineyards, which were among the first Croatian wines to be accorded an appellation designating the precise village they come from. Visitors to the peninsula can explore family-owned wineries, known locally as "vinarijas," where winemakers use traditional methods passed down through generations to craft their wines.
Korčula Island:
Located off the northern end of the Pelješac peninsula and separated by a narrow waterway, the beautiful island of Korčula is also celebrated for its winemaking heritage. The island's vineyards are interspersed with olive groves and pine forests, creating a picturesque backdrop for visitors. Korčula’s best-known wines may be its whites, including Pošip— a dry, aromatic white wine produced primarily from the Pošip grape— and Grk, a rare varietal that comes from an indigenous white grape grown exclusively in sandy soils in the Lumbarda region of the island. Difficult to grow because the vine has only female flowers, making pollination more challenging, the Grk grape produces a dry wine with a full and well-rounded flavor. The vines are thought to grow best in the rocks and sand by the water’s edge. Legend has it that they absorb salt from the sea air, giving the wine a distinctive crisp, fruity, and slightly briny flavor, and a unique taste of the island's terroir.
Hvar Island:
Traveling north from Korčula by water, the next island you’ll encounter is Hvar. Long a popular summer destination, Hvar Island is one of the sunniest spots in Europe with more than 2,700 hours of sunshine in an average year, making it an ideal location for growing grapes. The island's winemaking traditions date back to the ancient Greeks, who planted vines on the rocky, fertile slopes of Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the site of the longest continuously planted vineyard in the world. Today, Hvar is known for its unique white wine grape varieties, including Bogdanuša and Prč, both indigenous to the island, and the notable red wines produced from Plavac Mali vines. These wines made from Plavac Mali grapes cultivated on Hvar’s southern slopes are of special quality— typically full of tannins, sometimes quite tart, with an alcohol content ranging from 13% to 16%. Hvar's winemakers blend tradition with modern methods, and the vibrant tasting scene on the island provides the chance to sample a diverse range of wines, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds, while soaking in the charm of the historic towns and scenic vineyards.
Brač Island:
The island of Brač also boasts an ancient winemaking tradition with deep roots and a long history tracing back to the Greeks. Famous for its white limestone and picturesque beaches, Brač offers a more relaxed vibe than its neighbor, Hvar, and is home to an emerging wine scene. One of the island's most prominent grape varieties is Plavac Mali, found throughout the Dalmatian Coast. However, Brač is also known for its indigenous white grape variety, Pošip, which yields crisp and aromatic white wines. These grapes are well-suited to the island's terroir, producing wines that are full of character.
In closing, the coastal vineyards and sun-drenched islands of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast offer a unique terroir that has been nurturing grapevines since ancient times. The wineries of Pelješac, Brač, Hvar, and Korčula— many of them family-run for generations— present a distinct wine profile that provides visitors a taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle and the opportunity to savor wines crafted with passion and tradition.